https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:35:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385639 Tue, 06 May 2025 14:41:36 +0000 Chris987 2385639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, thanks <b>Carol</b>, lots of great ideas!&nbsp; I like the spray paint idea - simpler to apply than anything with a brush. After using the bag once, I really am not crazy about how bright it is. I have a couple of potential uses for this bag later in the year and need to choose between trying a paint experiment or passing it on and finding something else. It cost $30 so no remorse either way!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385636 Tue, 06 May 2025 13:58:02 +0000 Carol 2385636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I would guess the coating on that purse is more of a plastic, in which case weathering it would involve rubbing it with something abrasive. But I don't know that that would work. To deepen the color, you could water down like a rosy-colored acrylic, or use gouache, as a thin coating on top of the purse. You would probably have to allow it to be expressive with streaks, because it would be hard to get an even coat without air brush.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>A great thing that would also not wash off with water would be an egg tempera wash.&nbsp; You could get a chalk pastel in the color you want, or even use an old eyeshadow tin, and mix it well with egg white and maybe a tiny bit of water. Then brush that on. More likely to stay.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>And very last, you can just use a bronze metallic spray paint. If you were using metallic paint, I would choose that over acrylic.</p> <p>This all sounds madly experimental, but like it could be fun, if you are not too attached to the results.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385628 Tue, 06 May 2025 12:42:22 +0000 Chris987 2385628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks <b>Suntiger.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385519 Mon, 05 May 2025 12:38:20 +0000 Suntiger 2385519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My Tarrago experience wasn't great either, I just didn't get the smoothest coats on the items.<br /> I did darken my snow boots with mink oil, and that worked out well. In general, I'd leave any leather dyeing to the pros! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385422 Sun, 04 May 2025 13:02:40 +0000 Chris987 2385422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question <b>Star</b>!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Brooklyn</b> thanks so much for the info! I worked a bit with acrylic paint&nbsp; &nbsp;in college (costume design renderings as classroom exercises in theater design classes) so it will be fun to work with them again!&nbsp; And good info about using shoe polish as a way to change color on leather.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385419 Sun, 04 May 2025 11:39:36 +0000 Brooklyn 2385419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven’t actually (permanently) dyed any shoes or bags. I use Tarrago coloured shoe polish for a semi permanent change. I do 2-3 coats (dry and buff in between). It does start to come off with wear, especially in wet weather, but is easily restored with another coat. For my gold sandals I might do 2 or 3 coats per summer to keep them in shape. As well as imparting colour it keeps the leather soft. I do wear them a lot.</p> <p>My experience with using shoe polish is that it’s similar to using paint. Just use the colour that you want at the end. It’s different from dyeing fabric, when you need to pay attention to the effect of the base colour on the final result. Generally I am able to get pretty complete coverage, although a black base can show through as patina (see photo). Going darker is definitely easier than going lighter.</p> <p>But with leather or pleather that already has a metallic finish, I’ve never had much success with changing the colour with Tarrago. I think it’s because the smooth metallic finish resists polish. I would instead try painting it with an acrylic paint. A product like Lumiere by Jacquard. I think Mary Beth successfully used this product to (permanently) change the colour of a leather jacket. I haven’t tried it yet but it’s on my list of future DIY projects. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385414 Sun, 04 May 2025 05:39:49 +0000 Star (Lise) 2385414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So Chris I don't have any experience in this regard but I am wondering if you can successfully dye faux leather.&nbsp; Would be different to dying natural leather I think.&nbsp; Curious to see what others say.&nbsp; I know you actually asking about colouring, just wondering out loud. Oh and I love the idea of a bronze bag.&nbsp; Versatile!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dying-shoesbags#post-2385383 Sat, 03 May 2025 15:12:25 +0000 Chris987 2385383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a question for <b>Brooklyn </b>and any others who've successfully dyed shoes/bags.</p> <p>I have had one successful foray into the world of dying shoes/bags. I took these Vionic burgundy patent leather loafers and dyed them black, and it worked out really well. They kept the patent shine just fine. To my eye I can still see just a hint of burgundy after about 5 coats including the edges of the soles, but it's extremely subtle.</p> <p>I bought this Mango faux leather bag to go with a dress and shoes for a wedding, and it worked out fine, but it's an awfully bright gold and I'd prefer a softer color like maybe bronze. So my question is this: how do you think about warm vs cool tones when dying bags/shoes? The bag is a very bright warm gold, so if wanted to dye it a relatively warm bronze what would be a color to try? Would a soft brown do it?  </p> <p>Thanks! </p>